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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-01-02 Transcription#2 Page 1 ITEM 2 CONSIDER A MOTION TO APPOINT CITY CLERK AS TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON. Correia: Move to appoint City Clerk... O'Donnell: Second. Wilburnl: Moved by Correia, seconded by O'Donnell. Uh, all those in favor say aye. Opposed same sign. Bailey: I would like to move, uh, to amend the agenda to move Item 7 to our next item of consideration. Correia: Second. Karr: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Correia to move Item 7 to our next item for consideration. Discussion? All those in favor. Opposed same sign. Motion carries. At this time, I'd like to recognize, uh, Council Member Wilburn for a special presentation. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of January 2, 2008. #7 ITEM 7 SPECIAL PRESENTATION. Page 2 Wilburn: We're moving this up so that folks don't have to sit through the rest of our regular business, so we, uh, want to get you all going, but this is a very important presentation that we are glad to have people in our community that are able to find themselves in the situation that you don't want to find yourself in, and I will read this for the record just so that everyone...this is clear on the events that occurred. At 4:30 P.M. on December 14, 2007, the Iowa City Emergency Communication Center began receiving calls from witnesses reporting that a vehicle traveling southbound along the 900 block of North Dubuque Street had left the roadway and plunged into the Iowa River. Emergency units from the Iowa City Fire Department, the Iowa City Police Department, and the Johnson County Ambulance Service began arriving on the scene at 4:33 P.M. Emergency crews discovered that witnesses and passersby had already entered the frigid river and rescued the three occupants from the sinking car, a mother and one of her seven-year-old sons. The men directly involved in the river rescue were Josh Shepherd of Iowa City, Cory Rath of Cedar Rapids, Mark Peterson of North Liberty, and Steve McGuire of Iowa City. The car was pulled a short distance downstream by the river's current before completely submerging. Other witnesses and passersby also provided assistance by calling 9-1-1, helping pull persons back onto the riverbank, and providing comfort and aid. Shepherd and the three occupants of the vehicle were transported to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Emergency Treatment Center, where they were treated and released for exposure. The swift, decisive action by the above men may very well have saved the lives of the occupants of the car. Without a doubt, the rescuers selfless actions earned the designation of hero. Also of note, this is the third time that Steve McGuire has been instrumental in rescuing someone from the Iowa River. On behalf of the City of Iowa City, Police Chief Sam Hargadine and Fire Chief Andy Rocca, I know, express their heartfelt gratitude to these everyday heroes in our community. What I'd like to do now is if the three, or four gentlemen could come forward, and, um, if the Council could kind of stand up and merge in here. We want to make sure that we get a photo of all of this, but if you could come meet me up here, and I believe Michelle would like to address the group, as well. And, Michelle, did you want to...okay. Kehoe: I want to begin by saying thank you. Thank you for helping us in our time of need. On the afternoon of December 14th, my two sons and I were coming in to Iowa City on North Dubuque Street to go to the Public Library. My intention was to check out some books about the meaning of Christmas, the true meaning of Christmas, to share with my sons. We never got to the Library that afternoon, but our family has experienced first-hand the true meaning of Christmas this season (sniffles). My husband and I needed no other gifts than to be together with our boys as a This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of January 2, 2008. #7 Page 3 family. We will never take for granted a single day that we have together. We are so grateful to each of you that you made that split second decision to jump into that ice-cold water and swim with all your might to bring us to safety. The other night at bedtime, I opened up Sean's children's dictionary to the words hero and heroic, and I want to share these with you today. Hero, noun, a person who is brave, good, and often looked up to by others. Heroic, adjective, 1) having to do with a hero or heroes; ex: The firefighter had a heroic life. 2) like a hero, noble and courageous, ex: Jumping into the river to save the boy was a heroic deed. When I read this to Sean, I sat in awe. He put it best when he responded, "That's just like with us." Gentlemen, each one of you is a hero. You are our heroes. In this dictionary,. under the definition of hero, we have taped in a piece of paper with your four names on it. Your act of bravery saved our lives. We owe our lives to you, and we will be forever grateful. Again, thank you. (applause) Karr: And also, Fire Chief Andy Rocca and Police Chief Sam Hargadine are here, as well. Wilburn: Chiefs, could you come forward please. Uh...get a chance to say congratulation to them individually, we want to make sure they get their certificates...or their plagues here. We have, uh, both the Fire Chief, like I was saying earlier, uh, very appreciative that we have people in the community. There's no way that we can have firefighters and police officers on every block, on every...every riverbank, in this case, and so, uh, your selfless acts are greatly appreciated. So we have alife-saving commendation, Iowa River rescue, presented to each of you for your heroic actions on December 14, 2007, from the City of Iowa City. Your citizens are very proud of you, and we're very, very grateful, but not so grateful as...as Michelle and her family. So, Josh...okay, congratulations. (applause) Cory. (applause) Steve. (applause) And Mark. (applause) Where'd our photographer go? Did he get everything that he needed? Did you get what you needed? Okay. All right. If we could just pause for a moment, if anyone else wanted to get a shot. Anyone else? Yeah. Great, all right. Thank you. (applause) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of January 2, 2008. #3 Page 4 ITEM 3 NOMINATIONS FOR OFFICE OF MAYOR OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY. Correia: I nominate Regenia Bailey for Mayor. O'Donnell: Second. Karr: Moved by Correia, seconded by O'Donnell. Are there any other nominations? Champion: I'll nominate Ross Wilburn. Karr: Is there a second? One last time, is there a second? Okay. Motion to close nominations. O'Donnell: So moved. Champion: Second. Karr: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Champion. All those in favor. Opposed same sign. Okay. We will vote in order of the nomination. There is one nomination. It's been moved and seconded to nominate Regenia Bailey as Mayor of Iowa City. All those in favor say aye. Opposed same sign. Motion carries 6-1, Wilburn in the negative. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of January 2, 2008. #4 Page 5 ITEM 4 NOMINATIONS FOR OFFICE OF MAYOR PRO TEM OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY. Karr: Now entertain motion. Wright: Nominate Mike O'Donnell. Hayek: Second. Karr: Moved by Wright, seconded by Hayek to nominate Mike O'Donnell. Are there other nominations? Wilburn: ...to close. Bailey: Second. Karr: Is there a second to close nominations? Moved by Wilburn, seconded by Bailey to close nominations for Mayor Pro Tem. All those in favor say aye. Opposed same sign. We'll now vote for Mayor Pro Tem, Michael O'Donnell's nomination. All those in favor say aye. Opposed same sign. Motion carries unanimously. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of January 2, 2008. #6 Page 6 ITEM 6 MOTION FOR CITY COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS. Karr: Madame Mayor, it's your meeting. Bailey: Thank you, thank you, and thank you so much for your support. I look forward to serving this great community of ours! Let's just, um, go through these and vote on these as a block. Can we...can we proceed in that manner? Okay, the Rules Committee. Our 2006 appointees are noted there. Is there any interest in participating in the Rules Committee? Amy, would you be willing to continue on this...very active committee as I understand. Correia: Sure. Bailey: Is there any other interest? O'Donnell: I would be on that. Bailey: Mike, thanks. All right. Emergency Management Commission. Wright: I'd be interested in that. I've spoken to Mike, and... Bailey: All right. And the Johnson County Council of Governments. We've proceeded with six members serving with the Mayor as an alternate, and I assume that we would continue in that manner. Is that acceptable to everyone? Okay. Great. The Iowa City/Coralville Visitors & Convention Bureau. I've been the representative, and what I' d like to do is continue through my past chair term, which will take me through June, and then ask Matt to step up and serve starting July 1st, if you're interested? Hayek: Be happy to do it. Bailey: Okay, thank you. Item e, the Student Senate Subcommittee. Um, we need to probably look at this appointment in light of the City Council liaison position. What are we thinking with this? Is this, does this continue to be necessary? Champion: I think we should discontinue this. Wilburn: I would agree with that. Bailey: Do we need a formal motion to discontinue that? Karr: If we just discontinue it, I think we can work it in with the motion...to approve. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of January 2, 2008. #6 Page 7 Bailey: All right. I think that'll be a good idea. Okay, Economic Development Committee. I'm interested in continuing to serve. Connie, are you interested in continuing to serve on this? Champion: Yes, but I think you should appoint somebody else besides yourself, since you've served on this committee twice, two consecutive things. Bailey: I would like to at least continue through this downtown implementation. The next two years, but who else is interested? Hayek: I'd be willing to do that, as well. Bailey: That's three right there, so let's go with that. Youth Advisory Board, Amy, are you interested in continuing this, or is this something... Correia: I'd be interested in having someone else be the liaison. Bailey: Ross, would you be interested... Wilburn: Sure, I can do that. Bailey: ...I think you'd be great at that. Wilburn: Well, thank you! Bailey: Considering that you helped it get started, I think that that's really great. Okay. Karr: What about an alternate? Bailey: Oh! Who would be... Karr: Resolution requires an alternate. Bailey: Okay. Who would be interested in serving as an alternate for this committee? So, shall we put Connie down, and then...okay, great. Thanks. And then the Chief Elected Officials Board. Amy, you had expressed interest, and I think that would really fit your skills. Okay. Easy enough. Shall we just vote on those... Champion: Move to approve. Bailey: Okay. O'Donnell: Second. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of January 2, 2008. #6 Page 8 Bailey: We have a motion and asecond -motion by Champion, seconded by O'Donnell to approve as we previously discussed, including eliminating the Student Senate Subcommittee. Um, any further discussion? Okay. All those in favor say aye. Those opposed same sign. Motion carries. Okay. Bailey: I would entertain a motion... Wilburn: Excuse me, Madame Mayor, there's one other thing. The, um, and I don't know if we need to do this at this meeting, but with the, um, the, uh, Coalition of Cities. Each city will need to pick one representative and an alternate, um. I think it's...most cities are having the Mayor and a staffer staff those. Bailey: And I'm assuming we can't...can we do that? It's not on the agenda. Dilkes: Well, Council appointments are on the agenda, so I think... Correia: I would be interested in having Ross continue as the...as the, uh, our representative on that, with Regenia as alternate, since he was involved in getting that set up. Wilburn: Another option might be to, um, there is a conference call coming up. If Council wanted to give some more thought to that, about who would be the most appropriate, since I'd forgotten to have this put on the agenda, but at the time we... Helling: Yeah, the conference call is on the 9th. I think that would be fine, and then do it at the meeting, the regular meeting. Yeah. Bailey: Okay, so we'll talk a little bit more about that on the meeting on the 14th Okay. Any other items, discussion...all those in favor of those appointments say aye. Champion: But I wanted to ask another question. Because you won't be on JCCOG any more, are they still going to be able to continue (unable to hear) been on that for years. Bailey: We can talk about that on the 14th. I intend to also continue on that subcommittee. I think that'll be fine. Um, okay, where were we. Those opposed same sign. (laughter) Okay, appointments carry, and then we'll just make sure if there's questions about appointments....about those on the 14th. Okay? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of January 2, 2008. #g Page 9 ITEM 8 ADJOURNMENT. Bailey: I would entertain a motion to adjourn this special meeting. O'Donnell: Moved. Bailey: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Champion. All those in favor say aye. Opposed same sign. Motion carries. Thank you, and now I believe we have a group photo. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of January 2, 2008.